RedBaron

Installed a new XM Commander radio in the ash tray area. Had to get rid of the lighter plug, but is a very clean install and includes a remote. Comes with a new small antenna, mounted on the trunk. Not too visible with the dark paint. Have to say it works very well using a simple FM modulator (only trick is you have to turn it off when listening to regular radio, or signal is degraded).

Have pics, if anyone can host I'll gladly provide.

moa4r

did your install affect any of your stereo's wiring?

EX-BEEMER

Sounds like a nice install except for your FM modulator. That would be the weak link. I use an FM modulator in my GMC Envoy to transmit the audio from the DVD to the stereo and depending on where I'm at, it's not the best solution.

I know that the 04's have a SAT button. Does your '03? Why not wait for the Sirius factory radio?

RedBaron

Inevitably there are trade-offs and the FM modulator is one of them. There are no inputs into the stereo (Aux or satellite), so this is the only way to go without a lot of complexity. The FM modulator is the only interface with the stereo, no impact on wiring. Still, sounds pretty good (I'm no audiophile) and much better than listening to all those car ads.

Picture here:
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...9327&members=1


Personally, I think MB got on the wrong wagon with Sirius. XM has 3X the number of subscribers and IMO will be the winner in the end.

moa4r

at circut city, they told me that even with the fm modulator, they still need to wire an input to your antenna...did you do this?? I really don't want to mess with my stereo at all... (nice install by the way )

RedBaron

The antenna lead that goes into the audio gateway (located near left trunk hinge) is simply unplugged, and then plugged into the FM modulator. The FM modulator is then plugged into the audio gateway. You'll need 2 euro antenna adapters. So there is no modifying or messing with the stock stuff, as you can simply unplug it all later if need be.

Required a lot of fab work to get it in the ash tray, not something I'd want Circuit City to tackle...

moa4r

thanks for the info...
i know not to take my car to circut city for anything, I was just there asking about the product. do you know where to get the euro antenna adaptors????

allenjdmb

Looks nice, and agreed, once again MB has screwed up and tied up with the wrong horse. After playing with both, I agree that XM is far superior. Got a pictre of your antenna install? thanks

BlownV8

"I agree that XM is far superior."

I can't even begin to say how many times I've heard that same comment. I'd have to agree with you too. I have XM in three of my cars and it is great. Just about everyone that has ever ridden in my car and listened to XM radio has gone out and bought one. I've also known people with Sirrus that ditched their system and switched to XM.

DaveBk

Two questions for you RedBaron -

1/ How easy is it to get to the Audio Gateway? Can you access it from inside the trunk?

2/ For the ash tray install, where did you get the +12v and ground connections?

I'm taking delivery of a E320 in a few weeks and plan to add an aftermarket bluetooth phone kit. I will probably want to install the controller behind the ashtray thus Q2. I'm also wondering if it is possible to put a relay switch box between the audio gateway and the speakers so I can effectively mute the sound and feed the phone audio to the speakers instead.

Any info appreciated! Thanks.

moa4r

please let me know how your bluetooth install turns out i am thinking about doing the same in my 320...it annoying that they don't have bluetooth in the car from the factory, while people with acura tls get it standard

srt10viper

XM kicks MAJOR A$$!!!

I just received a email today that they are going to offer A LOT more commercial free channels and ALL Traffic channels for some of the major cities. They teamed up with Traffic Pulse for this feature FREE. I am going to see how I can add XM to the radio.

Can we use the jack that is in the glove box for the input???


FYI:
I attached the email I received yesterday:

Dear XM Subscriber:

First, from all of us at XM, thank you for being a valued member of the XM
family.

From every vantage point XM had a spectacular 2003. Ending the year with over
1.36 million subscribers, XM Satellite Radio is one of the fastest growing
entertainment media ever. Building on this tremendous momentum, we’re delighted
to announce several programming content enhancements in 2004 we know you’re
going to love.

First, XM will offer 100% COMMERCIAL-FREE MUSIC beginning February 1st. With 68
commercial-free music channels, XM will deliver the most commercial-free music
in satellite radio. From Rock to Jazz, Classical to Hip-Hop, Country to R&B,
you’ll now enjoy more of the music you love, without commercial interruption.

Complementing the move to 100% commercial-free music will be the debut of
exciting new channels, including:
* Highway 16 – Today’s top Country Hits - Ch. 16
* The Blend – Adult Contemporary Hits - Ch. 25
* Fungus – Punk Rock - Ch. 53
* Lucy – Classic Alternative Hits - Ch. 54
* MSNBC – Global and national news - Ch. 130

We are also pleased to announce the launch of XM INSTANT TRAFFIC & WEATHER.
Powered by Traffic Pulse and The Weather Channel, XM Instant Traffic & Weather
will offer listeners in-depth, up-to-date information about road and weather
conditions in 21 major metropolitan markets nationwide, 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, providing greater detail and more frequent updates than available
elsewhere on the radio. The first 15 metropolitan markets are available
beginning March 1st. You can visit http://traffic.xmradio.com to hear report
samples and learn more about this wonderful new XM service.

There’s more good news. 100% Commercial-free music, exciting new programming
content, Instant Traffic & Weather – all will be included as part of your basic
subscription. There are no new charges or fees.

To accommodate these many exciting enhancements, some channels will change
number, category, and/or format, or will be eliminated.
* MTV (ch. 25) and VH1 (ch. 26) will move from Hits to Variety (ch. 155 and 156,
respectively).
* Spirit (ch. 63) will move from Urban to Christian (ch. 33)
* Fine Tuning (ch. 104) will move from World to Rock (ch. 49)
* XM Live (ch. 168) will move from Variety to Hits (ch. 26)
* We will no longer carry Special X (ch. 30), Aguila (ch. 90), Vibra (ch. 92),
and Tejano (ch. 93).

A new channel lineup card will be mailed to you later this month. For more
information about all the changes and to view a new channel lineup immediately,
please visit http://lineup.xmradio.com.

Thank you again for your valued patronage and for making XM #1 in Satellite
Radio.

Best Regards,
The XM Team



Thanks,
ROB

RedBaron

First, the good news: XM is now 100% commercial free!!

I used to have a car stereo install business when I was younger, so now it is just a fun hobby for me. The info at the MB Learnign site was very helpful. http://www.mbusalearning.com/w211ele...mbly/index.htm

moa4r - actually you can get them at circuit city, crutchfield, best buy. There are several types of Euro adapters, make sure you get the right ones. There is a positive lock on the connector, so you have to push a clip to get it off the audio gateway.

allenjdmb - sorry no pictues. I'd have to take the trunk apart again to do that. However, you can mount the FM modulator near the gateway, so running the antenna cable is easy. Yes, the ash tray door closes.

DaveBk - the gateway is easy to get to, but a bit hard to find (sound familiar??? ). Anyway, it is hidden in the space between the left trunk hinge and the outside sheet metal. the connectors point to the rear. the antenna is lower connector. I think the other connector is an optical cable to the head unit. You have to remove the left side trunk wall interior trim to get to it. The XM unit is also mounted back there as well, so when you put the trim back on you cannot see any new equipt in the trunk. The XM head unit cable runs from the ash tray back under the carpet and behind the rear seat, which removes easily. The center console is a piece of engineering, and recommend you review the MB learning site is you are going remove this yourself (although the site is incorrect about how to remove the main console unit). I go 12v switched from the cigarette lighter wiring (and also wired in the Valentine1 while I was at it). +12v constant from the big red wire going to the gateway. COuld not find a 12v switched inthe trunk. From what I could figure, the head unit and gateway are switched on via a digital network wire, and therefore the standard switched wiring is hard to find. Wayyy over-engineered. THere is a nice ground lug in the trunk near the gateway.

The MB head unit does not have any speaker wires coming from it. They all come from the audio gateway. There are zillions of speaker wires, I would NOT recommend cutting them all and using relays, etc. to mute the sound. Overall, this is like a Macintosh system, not a Windows system - closed and proprietary and way beyond a casual install to really integrate anything more deeply than an FM modulator, IMO.

Hope that helps.

srt10viper

XM kicks MAJOR A$$!!!

I just received a email today that they are going to offer A LOT more commercial free channels and ALL Traffic channels for some of the major cities. They teamed up with Traffic Pulse for this feature FREE. I am going to see how I can add XM to the radio.

Can we use the jack that is in the glove box for the input???

Thanks,
ROB

DaveBk

Thanks for the info RedBaron.
moa4r - I'll start a new thread on the bluetooth install - I also intend to try to integrate with the steering wheel controls through the canbus. Need to build a bespoke canbus protocol adaptor, so will take a few weeks!

moa4r

cool thanks, i'm looking forward to it, i hope its not that complicated...

RedBaron

if you can build a canbus protocol adapter, I'll buy one!

DaveBk

I'll certainly post details about how I've made one. As a 'home' electronics enthusiast I don't have the time or facilities to go into production, but hopefully some existing car electronics company will see the opportunity! I may be willing to 'sell' the IPR to them